Tuesday, October 31, 2000
Blessed are those who have seen the Light and not become blind!
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” -James 1:27 (NIV)
Monday, October 30, 2000
Society has programmed us into looking forward to upcoming events. After the “Trick or Treaters,” we will be focused on Thanksgiving. The very day after Thanksgiving we will be focused on Christmas, and then New Years. Although many of the holidays we celebrate are church oriented, the most important event that is yet to come is the second coming of Christ. But is seems to be the least preached or discussed event in the church today even though the cry of the early church was “Jesus is Coming Again!”
“You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.” -James 5:8 (NIV)
“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” -1Thes 5:23 (NIV)
Sunday, October 29, 2000
We set the clocks back last night in hopes to capture more light. Maybe we should do the same for the church!?!
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” -John 8:12 (NIV)
“Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.” -Ps 25:6 (NIV)
Saturday, October 28, 2000
Great sermons are not always preached by great preachers but they are always about a great God!
“For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;
for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…”
-Ps 95:3-8 (NIV)
Thursday, October 26, 2000
Recently some asked me, “How do you keep coming up with these daily thoughts? Where do you get them? Don’t you ever run out?”
My answer was simply; “I’ll run out of daily thoughts when I run out of God!”
“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Lam 3:21-23 (NIV)
Wednesday, October 25, 2000
Love is not an option; it is standard equipment for the Christian.
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”
-1 Pet 4:8-10 (NIV)
“Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.”
-Prov 10:12 (NIV)
Tuesday, October 24, 2000
The fear of tomorrow must be overcome to find peace for today!
P.S. God holds both days in His hands!
“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”
Prov 14:30 (NIV)
Monday, October 23, 2000
When was the last time someone walked down the isle to the front of your church and asked Jesus into their life. Oh, I forgot. That’s old fashioned. The only problem is that since we quit giving altar calls in our churches it seems conversions are few and far between. There is something to be said for public confessions of faith. It’s called an exciting church!
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12 (NIV)
Sunday, October 22, 2000
Bringing the sacrifice of praise to a worship service should be a common practice for God’s people. But I am constantly amazed that the most controversial part of a local church continues to be worship. Is worship only existent if we are jubilant and expressive in some outward manner? No, not any than it is worship just because someone showed up for a worship service and filled a space in a pew on Sunday morning?
So what is worship? Worship is not so much an experience as much as it is an existence. When we bring what exists within us to a worship service we experience the power and presence of the Holy Spirit personally and the church corporately. If you don’t have a heart of worship before you enter the worship service you are likely not to experience worship.
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise– the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Heb 13:15-16 (NIV)
Saturday, October 21, 2000
“Come in,” God said. “So, you would like to interview Me?”
“If you have the time,” I said.
God smiled and said: “My time is eternity and is enough to do everything; what questions do you have in mind to ask me?”
“What surprises you most about mankind?”
God answered: “That they get bored of being children, are in a rush to grow up, and then long to be children again.
That they lose their health to make money and then lose their money to restore their health.
That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they live neither for the present nor the future.
That they live as if they will never die, and they die as if they had never lived . . .”
God’s hands took mine and we were silent for a while and then I asked . . . “As a parent, what are some of life’s lessons you want your children to learn?”
God replied with a smile:
“To learn that they cannot make anyone love them. What they can do is to let themselves be loved.
To learn that what is most valuable is not what they have in their lives, but who they have in their lives.
To learn that it is not good to compare themselves to others. All will be judged individually on their own merits, not as a group on a comparison basis!
To learn that a rich person is not the one who has the most, but is one who needs the least.
To learn that it only takes a few seconds to open profound wounds in persons we love, and that it takes many years to heal them.
To learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness.
To learn that there are persons that love them dearly, but simply do not know how to express or show their feelings.
To learn that money can buy everything but happiness.
To learn that two people can look at the same thing and see it totally different.
To learn that a true friend is someone who knows everything about them . . . and likes them anyway.
To learn that it is not always enough that they be forgiven by others, but that they have to forgive themselves.
I sat there for a while enjoying the moment. I thanked Him for his time and for all that He has done for my family, and me. He replied, “Anytime. I’m here 24 hours a day. All you have to do is ask for me, and I’ll answer.”
People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
-contributed by Donna Wishowski
Friday, October 20, 2000
People seek many things in life but one of the most needed is the joy of the Lord. When a person does not sense that joy they must move toward it. Too often people sit stagnant for years without joy only to finally realize they must seek it.
Where do we seek it? Seek the Lord and you will find joy!
How do you experience it? The fellowship with others who experience the joy of the Lord.
Where do we find fellowship? In the church.
Attend a worship service in your church this Sunday. If you don’t have a church you regularly attend, find one. We all need fellowship.
“… for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Neh 8:10 (NIV)
Thursday, October 19, 2000
In the busy world in which we live, making our days count for something more than the demands of a job is very difficult. Families are too often neglected. And the lack of workers is surely evident in our local churches today. To prioritize our lives takes a conscious effort and daily discipline. It takes time to make a difference.
God is the only one who makes time. Then He gives us time and makes us stewards of it. Then we determine how we use it. Time is a spiritual resource that has become traded as a worldly commodity.
Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
-Ps 90:12 NIV
Wednesday, October 18, 2000
Many years ago, when I was young, I got angry at something that tool place in the church we were attending so I quit. The pastor came out after a couple of weeks of our absence and had a “goodbye meeting.” I was astounded that they still held church without me the Sunday after I quit. I was even more astounded that no one came pleading with me to stay. And they continued to hold church each Sunday without me for several weeks. Finally I “ate crow” and went back. It was during those weeks that I learned that the church is bigger than anyone persons little hurt feelings.
Today I also recognize that a lot of people have rejected both Christ and the church with similar hurt feelings. So, they continue with a “faithless” life until death only to have sentenced themselves to a Christless eternity. What people need to realize is that God is going to have eternity in heaven with or without them. So, whether they believe or not, others will be celebrating on streets of God without sorrow, pain or tears worshiping the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
Tuesday, October 17, 2000
Waiting for God’s direction in life is difficult to do. However, waiting doesn’t mean doing nothing. God works through circumstances and circumstances are often created by things we do or by our association with other people. Remember, you can’t steer a ship that’s not moving!
“…but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isa 40:31 (NIV)
Teach me Lord, teach me Lord to wait.
Monday, October 16, 2000
Science has made some amazing progress in the area of human reproduction from test tube babies to cloning. But one thing that God has held sacred unto himself that science will never be able to duplicate is the love between a man and a woman.
Sunday, October 15, 2000
One of the most commonly used excuses people use for not giving money to the church is, “I don’t like the way they spend it!” Interestingly, even though they attend the church and perhaps are even members of the church they still call the church “they.” In other words, the person who doesn’t give to the church doesn’t even consider themselves part of the church or they would say, “I don’t like the way we spend the money.” If they considered themselves part of the church they would give to the church.
Whether we want to acknowledge it or not, our wallet is connected to our hearts!
Saturday, October 14, 2000
INVITATION FOR YOU…PLEASE JOIN IN THE PARTY
DATE: Every day. Traditionally, December 25, but He’s always around, so the date is flexible.
TIME: Whenever you’re ready. Please don’t be too late though, or you’ll miss out on all the fun.
PLACE: In your heart. He’ll meet you there- (you’ll hear Him knock.)
ATTIRE: Come as you are. Grubbies are okay as He’ll be washing our clothes anyway. He said something about new white robes and crowns for everyone who stays till the last.
TICKETS: Admission is free. He’s already paid for everyone. He says you wouldn’t have been able to afford it- it’s cost Him everything He had!
REFRESHMENTS: New wine, bread and a far-out drink He calls “living water.” This will be followed by a supper, that promises to be out of this world!!
GIFT SUGGESTIONS: Your heart. He’s one of those people who already has everything else. (He’s very generous in return though,….. just wait until you see what He has for you !
ENTERTAINMENT: Joy, Peace, Truth, Light, Life, Love, Real Happiness, Communion with God, Forgiveness, Miracles, Healing, Power, Eternity in Paradise, and much more! (All rated “G” so bring your family and friends)
RSVP: Very Important! He must know ahead, so He can reserve a spot for you at the table. Also, he’s keeping a list of His friends for future reference. He calls it the “Lamb’s Book of Life.”
PARTY GIVEN BY: His Kids. That’s us! Hope To See You There! Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear. (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints)
Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!
–Revelation 19:7-9
ALL OF YOU WHO WILL BE THERE-PLEASE
SHARE THIS INVITATION WITH SOMEONE ELSE.
-contributed by Donna Wishowski
Friday, October 13, 2000
“I know who holds tomorrow and that’s what helps me make it through today.”
Quote from Debbie Moseng, “Learning To Adapt”
Thursday, October 12, 2000
I have the strangest problem. We planted grass seed in our front yard and the south hillside is growing while the north hillside is not growing at all. Same yard, same dirt, same temperature, same rainfall but different results. Sounds like people attending church.
One difference might be the sunshine factor. Kind of like the “Sonshine” factor at church.
Thursday, October 11, 2000
I have the strangest problem. We planted grass seed in our front yard and the south hillside is growing while the north hillside is not growing at all. Same yard, same dirt, same temperature, same rainfall but different results. Sounds like people attending church.
One difference might be the sunshine factor. Kind of like the “Sonshine” factor at church.
Wednesday, October 10, 2000
How many times have you heard it said, “You don’t have to go to church to be a Christian!” That may be a true statement but your chances of staying faithful are significantly less without regular church fellowship and instruction. To think we can learn all we need to know about God from a tree would mean that God wasted a lot of time inspiring man to write the scriptures and man has wasted a lot of money publishing it.
To think we can learn all there is to know about the scriptures without instruction is also folly. The historical backdrop and the native cultures of the scriptures are significant in our understanding and the relevancy to our lives today.
If church attendance is not important, then why do we have churches in the first place? Certainly the early church found it important and we are still running on the track they placed for us. If you are not regularly attending a church and involved in a church, I want to encourage you to seek God’s leading to a local church that will be a blessing to you and you will be a blessing to it.
Tuesday, October 10, 2000
There is something to be said for Christians to begin to use their heads in ministry and life. We have a tendency to trail society instead of leading society. When God transplants our hearts in salvation he doesn’t do a lobotomy!
Extreme Illustration to make you smile…
Chuckie Righteous was going to clear out the woods for a new Christian Camp so he needed a chain saw. He went to the local hardware store and he was told that he should be able to cut down 6 or 7 trees in a week using the saw. The following week he returned the chain saw to the store because it didn’t work right. He could only cut down 3 trees in a week with it. The storeowner pulled the starter to see if it was running properly. It started right up. Chuckie quickly asked, “What’s that noise?”
Monday, October 9, 2000
God uses earthly resources for heavenly purposes.
Sunday, October 8, 2000
Tomorrow morning,” the surgeon began, “I’ll open up your heart…”
“You’ll find Jesus there,” the boy interrupted.
The surgeon looked up, annoyed. “I’ll cut your heart open,” he continued, “to see how much damage has been done…”
“But when you open up my heart, you’ll find Jesus in there.”
The surgeon looked to the parents, who sat quietly. “When I see how much damage has been done, I’ll sew your heart and chest back up and I’ll plan what to do next.”
“But you’ll find Jesus in my heart. The Bible says He lives there. The hymns all say He lives there. You’ll find Him in my heart.”
The surgeon had had enough. “I’ll tell you what I’ll find in your heart.
I’ll find damaged muscle, low blood supply, and weakened vessels. And I’ll find out if I can make you well.”
“You’ll find Jesus there, too. He lives there.”
The surgeon left. The surgeon sat in his office, recording his notes from the surgery, “…damaged aorta, damaged pulmonary vein, widespread muscle degeneration. No hope for transplant, no hope for cure. Therapy: painkillers and bed rest. Prognosis:,” here he paused, “death within one year.”
He stopped the recorder, but there was more to be said.
“Why?” he asked aloud. “Why did You do this? You put him here; You’ve put him in this pain; and You’ve cursed him to an early death. Why?”
The Lord answered and said, “The boy, My lamb, was not meant for your flock for long, for he is a part of My flock, and will forever be. Here, in My flock, he will feel no pain, and will be comforted as you cannot imagine. His parents will one day join him here, and they will know peace, and My flock will continue to grow.”
The surgeon’s tears were hot, but his anger was hotter. “You created that boy, and You created that heart. He’ll be dead in months. Why?”
The Lord answered, “The boy, My lamb, shall return to My flock, for he has done his duty: I did not put My lamb with your flock to lose him, but to retrieve another lost lamb.”
The surgeon wept.
The surgeon sat beside the boy’s bed; the boy’s parents sat across from him.
The boy awoke and whispered, “Did you cut open my heart?”
“Yes,” said the surgeon
“What did you find?” asked the boy.
“I found Jesus there,” said the surgeon.
Author Unknown
-contributed by Arlyn Flippen
Saturday, October 7, 2000
The bridge over troubled waters is in the shape of a cross!
Friday, October 6, 2000
When the going gets tough and you get knocked down, you probably won’t get on your feet until you get on your knees.
Thursday, October 5, 2000
The pastor’s credentials hanging on his study wall are far less important than the credentials hanging on his heart and his credentials hanging on people’s hearts!
Wednesday, October 4, 2000
Where you spend the greatest portion of your life is your mission.
Tuesday, October 3, 2000
If the power of God is not manifested in the local church, the power of Satan will be!
Monday, October 2, 2000
Don’t be disappointed with God for decision you made by yourself!
Sunday, October 1, 2000
A young wife once said, “It didn’t take long after we were married and the days of wine and roses turned into beer and pretzels.” It is so important for people to start their marriages with God as the center of their relationship and a practice of reading scripture and praying together. It can maintain a lifetime of a love relationship between God, a woman and a man.
